Twin City Shopping Center at Garfield Avenue and 53rd Street in Jersey City — Courtesy: Levin Management Corp.
By Joshua Burd
A local grocery chain has signed a new 24,500-square-foot lease at a Jersey City shopping center, under a newly completed transaction by Levin Management Corp.
The operator, Aqui Market, has been a subtenant at Twin City Shopping Center since 2011, according to LMC, but recently extended its commitment to the property with a direct, long-term lease. The deal follows ownership’s recent aesthetic upgrades at the 95,000-square-foot center at the Bayonne border, at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and 53rd Street.
“As an essential retail category — and one that has proven to be Internet-resistant — grocery is a significant element for any shopping center,” said LMC Leasing Representative E.J. Moawad, who arranged the lease. “Aqui Market is a perfect match both for this neighborhood and Twin City Shopping Center, and we are pleased to have them remain a tenant here for many years to come.”
A family-owned and operated food market with a Latin flair, Aqui Market was founded in 1990 and has four New Jersey locations, LMC said. Its co-tenants at Twin City Shopping Center include Retro Fitness, Everything $.99, T-Mobile and others, along with dining operators such as Taco Bell, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Wendy’s and Dunkin’.
LMC announced the deal while touting recent upgrades at the center, including a new façade, stonework and sidewalk refurbishments. The property also has recently added LED lights in the parking lot, new pylon signage, new post-and-rail fencing and upgraded landscaping.
“Our restaurant tenants generate significant activity that contributes to Twin City’s overall appeal and ‘destination’ atmosphere,” Moawad said. “In recent months, these tenants have been busier than ever. With more consumers focused on safety and convenience, there has been heightened demand for fast-casual options, particularly drive-through businesses where customers can pick up orders from the comfort of their car.”
